Most serious mistakes at a funeral: how you should not behave

To avoid getting into an awkward situation at a funeral, you should not film what is happening on your phone or wear inappropriate clothing. You need to prepare for a sad event if you have time for it.

The Вestlifeonline portal shared its advice. It is noted that it is necessary to think about your outfit, accessories, prepare phrases in advance that will need to be said, and it is better to postpone all business meetings and negotiations for the day of mourning.

In particular, the founder of Beaumont Etiquette and etiquette expert Mika Meyer advises not to overuse the phone on such a sad day. The expert stressed that it should remain prohibited at a funeral.

"Given that you are here to honour the memory of the deceased, the funeral should also be a no-phone zone. Talking on the phone during the service is one of the most disrespectful things to do at a funeral," she said.

Meyer noted that while attending a funeral or wake, one should pay maximum attention to what is happening.

"Turn off the sound on your phone, switch off your phone, or even just leave it at home or in the car," suggested Daniel Post Senning, author and representative of the Emily Post Institute.

In turn, Diane Gottsman, a national etiquette expert and founder of the Texas School of Protocol, noted that taking photos at a funeral would also be unethical.

"Sometimes it's appropriate to capture the moment, and sometimes it's not," said Gottsman.

She agreed that the smartphone era has made it "a habit to capture the moment and post it on social media." However, the expert stressed that funerals are not the case. The only exception may be the permission of the family.

The experts also advised paying attention to the clothes you can wear to the ceremony. In this case, you should avoid bright and floral outfits.

"You have to make sure you dress respectfully, especially if the ceremony is held in a religious institution such as a church," said Maryanne Parker, founder of Manor of Manners.

She also noted that different cultures also have different rules, so you should definitely consult with the family of the deceased before visiting.

But the main rule, experts noted, is to pay attention to the family of the deceased - to express condolences, ask if they need help, and not to burden them with your memories of the deceased, nor to take too much time. It is not customary to talk about anything other than the sad event during the ceremonies.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, experts told what you should not say at funerals and weddings.

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